Officer accused of molestation appears in court

A San Jose police officer accused of molesting two teenage boys in Gilroy made his first court appearance on Friday. Some disturbing new accusations came to light during the court hearing.

Patrick D'Arrigo, 44, was in front of the judge for less than two minutes, but it was long enough for him to understand the serious charges against him. A grand jury has indicted the San Jose police officer on three counts involving sexual contact with two boys ages 15 and 17.

"The defendant responded to a Craigslist dating ad that a teenage boy listed on Craigslist," said Deputy District Attorney Stuart Scott. "That teenage boy then introduced the defendant to several of his teenage friends." Police say the parties involving alcohol and sexual encounters took place at D'Arrigo's Gilroy home between December 2008 and March 2009. Neighbors say they're stunned by the charges.

"He was just one of the other police in the neighborhood that seemed to be doing his job and didn't really have a lot of interaction with the rest of the neighborhood. Kind of quiet, kind of a loner," said neighbor Ben Bruce.

Neighbors say the 17-year veteran of the police department has a son who lives with him at their Gilroy home.

D'Arrigo pleaded not guilty in court on Friday and his attorney says he will mount a vigorous defense.

"He will answer these charges and is looking forward to his time in court," defense attorney Brian Madden said. "It is my expectation that he will be exonerated."

Scott says the evidence and testimony they have not only supports the charges, but there is a strong evidence there may be more victims.

"There is an ongoing investigation," Scott said. "It is going to take some time to get through all of the computers, the flash drivers [sic], the cellphones that we recovered."

Prosecutors say, in addition to the alcohol, one of the boys testified to getting a $300 iPod for Christmas and several gift cards.

If convicted, D'Arrigo faces three years, eight months in prison. He is currently on paid administrative leave from his job at the San Jose Police Department.